Rough Guide to Rai

Amazon.com
Born out of the cabarets, brothels, and bars in the seaside district of Oran in Algeria, raï is an Arabic musical reaction to rock & roll and disco. The differences are evident in the beat and lyrics, which are less polite and more sexual. While this collection culls 12 tracks from a time when the grassroots music was sold on cheap--and cheaply produced--cassettes, there are bright spots. Cheikha Remitti's more traditional sound is a welcome respite from the cheesier productions. Malik's "N Touma" uses samples to create a pleasantly edgy collage. The funkiest track comes from Cheba Nouria, whose "Consulat" boasts electro groove and a bit of reggae syncopation. Cheb Mami and Cheb Khaled tracks sound dated, but they provide enlightening and entertaining comparisons with both artists' more recent works. Though this is a fine overview of the music's early years, curious fans should explore more sophisticated recent efforts by the two gents. --Tad Hendrickson

Rough Guide to Rai,Cheb Khaled,Cheb Mami,Abdou,Malik,Cheb Zahouani,Cheb Anouar,Cheikha Remitti,Bellemou,Cheba Nouria,Cheba Zahouania,Cheb Hasni,Fadela & Sahraoui,World Music Network,Algeria,Int'l & World Music,North Africa,Pop,Rai,World Music

Average customer rating:

The Rebel Soul of Algeria

EVEN MY CATS LIKE IT!

Excellent introduction to rai

Rough Guide to Rai
Cheb Khaled , Cheb Mami , Abdou , Malik , Cheb Zahouani , Cheb Anouar , Cheikha Remitti , Bellemou , Cheba Nouria , Cheba Zahouania , Cheb Hasni , and Fadela & Sahraoui
Manufacturer: World Music Network
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Algeria | Africa | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00006IIXP
Release Date: 2002-10-14

Tracks:

Ana aachki bahloul - Abdou
Lazrag saani - Cheb Mami
N'touma - Malik
Moul el bar - Cheb Zahouani
Moulay Ibrahim - Cheb Anouar
Guendouzi mama - Cheikha Remitti
Nediha gaouria - Bellemou
Consulat - Cheba Nouria
Shab el baroud - Cheba Zahouania
Menghirek entia fi dounia - Cheb Hasni
Ya loualid - Cheb Khaled
La verite - Fadela & Sahraoui

Amazon.com

Born out of the cabarets, brothels, and bars in the seaside district of Oran in Algeria, raï is an Arabic musical reaction to rock & roll and disco. The differences are evident in the beat and lyrics, which are less polite and more sexual. While this collection culls 12 tracks from a time when the grassroots music was sold on cheap--and cheaply produced--cassettes, there are bright spots. Cheikha Remitti's more traditional sound is a welcome respite from the cheesier productions. Malik's "N Touma" uses samples to create a pleasantly edgy collage. The funkiest track comes from Cheba Nouria, whose "Consulat" boasts electro groove and a bit of reggae syncopation. Cheb Mami and Cheb Khaled tracks sound dated, but they provide enlightening and entertaining comparisons with both artists' more recent works. Though this is a fine overview of the music's early years, curious fans should explore more sophisticated recent efforts by the two gents. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

The Rebel Soul of Algeria.......2006-10-03

Few things are as quintessentially Maghrebi as Rai music. This compilation showcases the incredible variety of the modern Algerian sound, stretching back to the earliest pioneers of Rai music like Cheikha Remitti and going up to modern day legends like Khaled, Cheb Mami and the late Cheb Hasni (who was a hit across North Africa, despite not being as well known in the west as Khaled or Cheb Mami). All the big names are featured here. Theres the driving rhythms of Fadela and Sahraoui on "La Verite". The cross dressing pop star Abdou contributes a track, "Ana Aachki Bahloul". And even "Shab el Baroud," a song by Cheba Zahouania praising the Algerian mujahideen freedom fighters. This CD is an essential guide for understanding Rai music, the very heart and soul of Algeria. Anyone interested in Arabic music should definately go out and buy this CD. It's definately a different side of Algeria than that frequently featured on the news.

EVEN MY CATS LIKE IT!.......2003-08-26

yeah, ok, my cats like everything, this is a very musical household, but seriously, they were getting a little bored of the same old arabesque cd's and were ready for something a little edgy and bold. this cd certainly fit the bill. the music is hard, biting, and yet retains it's uniqueness and rhthym. it reflects it's moroccan and arabic influences, but has a slight central asian feel to it that really makes it interesting. if you've ever considered stepping just outside the box, then the music of algeria is certainly worth a listen. my cats would definitely agree.

Excellent introduction to rai.......2002-11-30

The Rough Guide to Rai is the music of modern Algeria: politically-charge lyrics layered amongst Arabic instruments and beat-driven pop. You can think of it as the north African equivalent to reggae, unencumbered by the need to stick to 4:4 rhythms.

The music ranges in sound from dancey pop to sweeping Egyptian orchestrals to breathy, intricate taqsims. The rhythms always take over, though.

Tracks:

M'Hainek Ya Galbi (Algeria) - Cheb Kader
Douni El Bladi (Algeria) - Cheb Mami
Habibi (Egypt) - Ali Hassan Kuban
Lama Bada Yata Sama (Egypt) - Hossam Shaker & His Ensemble
Tahrimni Minnak (Sudan) - Abdel Aziz El Mubarak
Dannab (Sudan) - Abdel Karim El Kabli
Ashranda (Egypt) - Hamza El Din
Mambo El Soudani (Egypt) - Salsmat
Maqsoum (Egypt) - Mahmoud Fadl
Koubou-Koubou (Algeria) - Cheb Khaled & Miloud
La Verite (Algeria) - Cheb Sahraoui & Chaba Fadela
Bechri Lina (Morocco) - Adnan Sefiani & L'Orchestre De Sale
Vent De La Montagne/Six Sous (Algeria) - Houria Aichi
Nikriz (Morocco) - Hassan Erraji & Arabesque

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful caravan of music!.......2000-06-22

After receiving the Rough Guide to World Music book as a present, I was anxious to expore their recorded works. Of them all, this is my favorite, a journey from trance music, to the influences by or from the Indian subcontinent. This is a great introduction to the varied styles, with contemporary examples. As the Rough Guide cd's are somewhat ecclectic in their variety, this is either a great place to start your journey in this music, or a excellent way to expand your tastes. You may not like everything on the cd, at least at first, but it will open a whole new world.

Wonderful caravan of music.......2000-06-21

After a Christmas present of the Rough Guide to World Music book, I was impressed with their printed product. The cd is equally impresssive, as it takes you on a great caravan of North Africa, with a survey encompassing the mystic drone of Morocco and Algeria, to the Indian type music. A great survey, easy to lose yourself in, if this type of music is for you. If you are not familiar with this music, try this cd. You may not like everything, as the Rough Guide thankfully does not play things safe, and can put together an ecclectic, and admirable, cd.

Rock Music:

Rock Music

rock music

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